Jan. 19: Wendy O. Williams arrested

She was known as a founding mother of punk rock, the "Queen of Shock Rock." The Webster native who left R. L. Thomas in the 10th grade, performed near-nude, blew up her equipment and ran a chainsaw through her guitars.

She was Wendy Orlean Williams, known as Wendy O. Williams, the dynamic and controversial performance artist and lead singer of the Plasmatics.

And on Jan. 19, 1981, she was arrested on an obscenity charge in Milwaukee for simulating a sex act with a sledgehammer during her show at The Palms nightclub. She was injured in the arrest and was also charged with battery on a law enforcement officer.

Her manager, Rod Swensen was also arrested that night and charged with obstructing an officer for trying to protect Williams during the arrest.

The case generated much media attention. Plasmatics fans came from thousands of miles away to sit in on Swensen's jury trial. Williams testified that police had used excessive force. A photograph of Williams beaten on the ground, surrounded and restrained by numerous police officers was key in Swensen's acquittal.

Prosecutors dropped the charges against Williams.

She went on to have a successful solo career -- she was nominated for a Grammy for Best Female Vocal for her album W.O.W. in 1985 -- and a minor acting career. She retired in 1991 to contiue her work fighting for the humane treatment of animals and educating people about the benefits of natural foods.

Williams died in 1998 of a self-inflicted gunshot wound near her home in Cleveland.

Taxes/Property Watchdog:
After covering the Town of Greece and myriad suburban education issues for the Democrat and Chronicle over the past few years, Meaghan McDermott is taking up coverage of taxes, government spending and property rights issues. Don’t feel bad for her: she likes numbers and likes knowing where her tax dollars are going even more. &nbsp;